Washington Township

Always One

Washington was one of the original townships constituting Grundy county, and Avas a township under the jurisdiction of Livingston before Grundy became a separate county. It reached from the forks of Grand River to the Iowa State line, taking the greater part of what is now Mercer count3\ At the February term of the Livingston County Court, 1839, the following

"It is ordered by the court that a township be made in the territory of Livingston, called Washington township, to commence at the north of the- Weldon River, running with the same to the State line; thence west with the stated boundary line to where the same crosses Grand Kiver; thence down said river to the beginning."

In 1841, when Grundy became a county, "Washington constituted a large part of the territory, then comprising the whole of Mercer county. Grundy's territory remained the same until 1845, when Mercer was cut off, thus taking a large slice from the northern side of "Washington township, leaving its boundary lines with Mercer county on the north, "Weldon River on the east, the forks of the Grand River on the south, and the Thompson River on the west. The territory occupied by Washington still remained the same until 1872, when the whole county was reorganized under the new township organization law, when Washington was curtailed to its present dimensions by taking Harrison and part of Lincoln township from its southern border, and a portion of Franklin from its eastern side, leaving a territory of twenty-one square miles, covering an area four miles north and south by six miles east and west, lacking some two miles on the southwest corner. The present township of Washington is bounded on the north by Mercer county, on the east by Franklin township, on the south by Harrison,^ and on the west by the Thompson River and a portion of Harrison county.

Fikst Settlement

In the fall of 1838, the families of Abraham and Larkin Field, Andrew Weldon and Elijah Burgess, moved into what is now known as Washington township. The Fields settled on section thirty-five, and came from Kentucky. Weldon was from the same State, and staked his claim on section thirteen. Burgess hailed from Virginia, and located on section twenty-one. These families were the only settlers of the township until the spring of 1839, when the families of David Hayes and John and Jethro Sires, having bid farewell to their homes in the fai-away blue grass region of Kentucky, also located in Washington township, Mr. Hayes building his cabin on section twenty-one, northwest corner, and the Sires cleared a spot in section twenty-four. Among other early settlers were J. R. Robbins, Preston Gobin, R. Magruder, Dr. Henry Hampton, Robert Bennett, Robert Hobbs and A. H. C. McFarland. They had many hardships and trials, 'tis true, but on the whole, their lives were happy and contented, and during the early days the angel of death paid them no visits. The country was rich and partly rolling, about three-fourths timber, the varieties being black walnut, hickory, oak, elm and others, the remaining one-fourth was beautiful prairie. The township was well watered, with Lost Creek flowing through the center,

"Wood Creek on the east, and Peteet Creek on the west, tlius giving, an abundance. Even at tliat earl}^ day the township gave proof of its fertility and richness, and the promise has developed into reality, until to-day, with onl}' one-fourth of the township in timber and the remainder under cultivation, it shows some of the finest farming and grazing lands to be found in Grundy county. Ilich and fertile, well watered, Washington township -cannot be surpassed for the excellent quality of its soil.

The manufacture of clothing depended upon the good housewife, and she wove and spun untiringly until all were supplied. The first work of this kind was performed by Mrs. Abraham Field in 1838, and soon the other families in the neighborhood also went into the manufacturing business. Wool and fiax furnished the material for garments, while coon-skin and deerskin served for caps and moccasins. The luxuries in the way of edibles, were brought from Brunswick, in Chariton county. Ox teams were the -only means of transportation and when a settler "went to town" to purchase his salt, sugar, etc., he calculated to be gone from ten days to two weeks, traveling the ninety-five miles and return, if he was in luck. If a wagon broke down or other matters interfered they were considerabl}-^ longer on the way.

Washington township was a long time without a church, but religious services were held as early as 1839, at the homes of the settlers; the Rev. Thomas Thompson, then a resident of Franklin township, conducted religious worship. The services were of the Christian denomination, and were the first held in the township. Later, other denominations held services in like manner, but no churches were erected until 1870, when the Union Baptists built a church edifice. . The organization took place on the 4th of July, 1 869, and the following were the first members: Z. W. Shackleford, Anna Shackleford, Jane Chestnut, Hiram Gay, Iwodena Gay, Margaret Chestnut and Joseph Hartshorn. The following summer the church was built by subscription and donation by members and neighbors. It was a frame structure, cost $1,500 and was dedicated in the tall of the same year, as the " Friendship Church," Elder James Hammer, assisted by Elders C. S. Williamson and Samuel Pruitt, ofliciating in the dedicatory exercises. Rev. C. S. Williamson became the first pastor, and was followed by Rev. William Leek. The membership increased until the number reached forty-seven, when the organization was broken up. The church building is now used by the Missionary Baptists. At present there are several other religious organizations, but they have no church buildino-s.

The Old Log School House

The first school-house was erected in Washington township in 1839, and was the joint work of the neighbors. It was situated in the eastern part of section 26, now district number five, and was constructed of round poles. It was a one-roomed cabin with a door and holes left in the sides for windows.

This was used only at odd times when a teacher conld be secured, and was known as a subscription school. The old structure stood until 1844, when the neighbors again volunteered their services and by their united eftbrts and contributions erected what is remembered as the "hewn log school-house." Mr. J. R. Robins was the lirst teacher, and he instructed the rising generation at the rate of $15 per month for his services, and there were about twenty pupils. Mr. Robins began his work in 1845 and continued until the schoolhouse of hewn logs gave way to the present frame building 28x32 feet? which was erected in 1870 at a cost of $650, and also officiated as the first teacher in the new building, when he retired on account of his age, and wa& followed by William Houseman. The old hewn log school-house still remains a landmark of the pioneer days and is used on the farm of Mr. Robins as a corn-crib, thus serving its purpose as a storehouse, first of knowledge then of corn, both of inestimable value in all ages. The township is now divided into five scliool districts, each having neat frame school buildings, where instruction is given at least six months in the year.

The present officers of the township are Thomas J. Taylor and William Hartshorn, justices of the peace; Paschal W. Thompson, trustee; Myron Fox, collector; Granville Brown, clerk and assessor; and John I. Craig, constable. Washington township also has the honor of furnishing the member of the lower house of the General Assembly from Grundy county, in the person of Hon. Thomas J. Taylor, who has served as an efficient member.

thirty-five, and the office is the home of Mr. A. Wright, who serves as postmaster. Buttsville proper is located in the central! portion of the township,, but the post-office was removed from there to its present location some time since.

An accident occurred in this township in the year 1858, the sad features of which cast a deep gloom over the community for several months afterward. A young man by the name of McFarland, about twenty-four years of age, in the very buoyancy of young manhood, well liked and highly respected by all who knew him, lost his life in a kindly act in behalf of a neighbor. The young man was employed on a farmt, and was burning stubble from the field, when the flames spread too rapidly,, and a neighbor's uncut field was likely to furnish food to the fiery destroyer, when, without assistance, young McFarland, by strenuous exertions succeeded in arresting the progress of the flames, and saving the field. The effort cost him his life. A neighbor noticing the situation hurried to help him, but arrived only after the work had been accomplished, and McFarland stood panting from his exertions. He spoke only a few words and then dropped dead. Tlie funeral was largely attended by mourning friends, bespeaking the great esteem in which he was held by those who knew him.

Biographical Sketches John I, Craio

Son of Franklin and Melinda Craig, nee Booran, was born in West Virginia, December 22, 1838. His parents migrated to Missouri in 1844, and settled in Grnndy county. On August 23d, 1861, he eidisted in company H, Twenty-third Missouri volunteer infantry, served for three years, was in many hard-fought battles, and was always ready and willing for duty. He was married, November 8, 1864, to Miss Amanda Wild, who was born in Grundy county, November 28, 1845; her parents Philip and Sallie Wild were among the earliest settlers in Grundy county. They have had eight children, seven of whom are still living; namely, Philip, born September 12, 1865; Franklin, born June 15, 1868; Sallie M., born January 27, 1872; Sylvester, born March 17, 1874; Martha A., born March 24, 1876; John I., born August 25,1878; Marshall, born April 20, 1880; and Herbert E., born May 24, 1870, died August 27, 1871.

Mr. Craig is now serving his township as constable; and has been an activ^e member of the school board. He has had bad luck by having to pay security debts, yet has struggled manfully on, and now has ai nice home of seventy-eight acres of good land. He had no opportunity of attending school, but by home application has become a well informed man and enjoys the esteem of all his neighbors.

Son of John and Elizabeth Kennedy, both natives of the State of New York, was born in Hancock county, Illinois, August 7, 1838. His father was of Irish descent and his mother's ancestry were from Holland, her maiden name being Van Brunt, and her grandmother a niece of the king of Holland. Large estates in the city of New York are now in litigation in which the mother of the subject of this sketch is quite an interested party, being a claimant under the king of Holland. His father died in 1862, but his mother is still living, a resident of Illinois. He lived mostly in Hancock county, that State, till 1866, and then located in Grundy county, Missouri. He went to the mountains in 1859 and remained four years, then returned to Illinois, and on October 27th, 1874, was united in marriage to Miss Melinda Booker, a native of Kentucky, born February 20, 1847, daughter of Henry and Rachel Booker. They moved to Grundy county, where her father died September 9, 1879, but her mother is still a resident of the county. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy; named, respectively, John H., September 18, 1865; Lenora, November 9, 1867; Artensa, December 30, 1869; Charles Yan Brunt, February 27,

1873; Maud, December 3, 1874; Robert, February 28, 1877. He is a man who has made his own way in the world, and now owns eighty acres of fine land, all improved. He is about to obtain a patent for a weed and stalk cutter, an article of acknowledged merit and usefulness, pronounced a success by all who have seen it.

David Payne

Was born in Chariton county, Missouri, April 2, 1835. His father, Nathan Payne, was a native of North Carolina, and his mother, Nancy Payne, of Indiana. In 1824 his father settled in Boone county, Missouri, and became a noted hunter; afterwards moved to Chariton county, and in the year 1842 located in Grundy county. His father died in California in 1871. His mother came to Missouri when only three years of age, her parents locating in Chariton county. She died in the year 1859. The subject of this sketch, was reared upon a farm and only went to school a few weeks altogether, and then had to walk five miles. He was married, December 19, 1858, to Melissa F. Sires, a native of Grundy county. She was born March 31, 1841, and is a daughter of Jethro and Margaret* Sires, very early settlers in Missouri. By this union they have had five children; viz., William, born January 8, 1862; Amy, born September 16,1866; David, born April 19, 1869; Johnnie, born May 25, 1860, died June 30,1869; and Louisa J., born December 3, 1863, died September 25, 1865. Mr. Payne has worked hard and become prosperous. He has dealt largely in stock and was one of the first to ship from Grundy county. He has a fine farm of one hundred and thirty-eight acres. He is a leading member of the Masonic fraternity, and the family are highly respected in the community.

Is a native of Kentucky, born April 8, 1837, and a son of John and Elizabeth Sires, nee White, both natives of Virginia, but who settled in Kentucky, when first married, and lived tliere until 1841, when they settled in Grundy county, Missouri, and are now living in Franklin township, this county. Our subject has been a continual resident of this county ever since he was four years of age. On April 3d, 1863, he married Miss Lucy M. Tompkins, a native of Randolph county, Missouri, born November 21, 1847, daughter of James and Elizabeth Tompkins, nee Grimes; her father was a native of Kentucky, and her mother of Howard county, Missouri. They are still living in Howard count3\ Mr. and Mrs. Sires have seven children; viz., Ada, born February 7, 1864; Frank, born April 16, 1866; Lottie, born December 19, 1867; Elizabeth, born February 15, 1870; Nellie, born August 21, 1872; Emily, born April 11, 1875; John, born February 1, 1878. By diligence and good management he has succeeded, and now owns three hundred and sixty aeries of fine land; the home, one hundred and sixty acres, said to be the best ill the county. He makes stock-feeding, buying and selling, a specialty, and has made his business a success. When he left school, which he had but little opportunity to attend, he could not write his name or make any calculations with figures, but now he is acknowledged a good business man and learned by home application.

Son of John and Elizabeth Sires, nee White, was born in Grundy county, Missouri, December 19, 1850. His parents settled in Grundy county in 1841, and are now living in Franklin township. At the age of eleven years he began to make his own living by working on a farm for twenty-five cents per day, and now owns a fine farm of one hundred and ten acres of well improved land, and all this has been accumulated in a few years by industry and thrift. He married, August 2, 1874, Miss Matilda A. Patton, a native of Clinton county, Ohio, born August 1, 1854; a daughter of Wm. J. and Rachel Patton, nee Garrett, who were both natives of Ohio. The}' came to Missouri in the year 1873 and remained about one year; then returned to Clinton county, Ohio, where they still live. Mr. and Mrs. Sires have one child, Myrtle, born April 9, 1876, to brighten and make pleasant the home circle. Mr. Sires is a well known young man and one possessed of more than ordinary business ability.

Hon. Thomas J. Taylor

The present representative of Grundy county, was born in Brown county, Indiana, September 15, 1839, and is a son of Henrj^ and Catharine Taylor, nee Davidson. His fathei- was born in Kentucky, and his mother in Tennessee. His parents came to Indiana in 1828, and to Missouri in 1840. His father died in 1853, and his mother in 1875. He remained at home till 1861, then enlisted in company F, Merrill's Horse, and served over four years; was with the regiment in many hard fought engagements and always in the line of duty; was promoted to first lieutenant and brevet captain, and had command of five companies during the summer of 1865. While home on recruiting service, in 1864, on the 21st' of January, of that year, he married Miss Eliza Jane Rowland, who was born in Ray county, March 22, 1844, daughter of David and Elizabeth Rowland, nee Lee, both natives of Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have four children; named, respectively, Laura Belle, born July 25, 1866; De Sully, born June 18, 1869; Lenora D., born September 29, 1871; and De Soto, born September 28, 1873. He is the owner of two hundred and ninety acres of fine land; and has served as justice of the peace for ten years, and in fact has held all the offices in the gift of the people of his township. At the general election in 1880 he was elected, on the Republican ticket. State representative from Grundy county, and ran one hundred and thirteen votes ahead of Garfield, by a. popular majority of nine hundred and forty-three. During his first session he introduced some very important bills in regard to the school system. He is a Royal Arch Mason, and was master of Modena Lodge four years. Mr. Taylor and family are highly respected members of society.

"Was born in this county, February 7, 1852. His father, Milton V. Thompson, is not the oldest settler in the county, but one of the best known men and the most extensive land owners. H. R, Thompson received a fine business education at Grand River College. On the 4th of November, 1874, at the age of twenty-three years, he was united in marriage to Miss Hattie McClure, a native of Scotland county, Missouri, born December 9, 1855, daughter of William and Mary Jane McClure. Her father died in 1865, and her mother is still living, in Daviess county. By tliis union they have had two children; namely, Maud, born October 14, 1876; and Willove, born October 31, 1878, died September 28, 1879.

Mr. Thompson, in August, 1875, moved on his farm in Washington township, acknowledged to be one of the best in Grundy county. Here he makes a specialty of sheep husbandry, having a choice flock of graded Cotswold and Merino. He is highly esteemed for his strict business integrity, and he and his excellent wife are noted for their hospitality and social qualities.

Son of Milton V. Thompson, a well-known resident of Grundy county, was born in Grundy county, Missouri, August 29, 1850. He is a grandson of Dr. Wm. P. Thompson, who is still remembered as the first regular physician that practiced in Grundy county, and who settled in this county in 1833.

P. W. Thompson finished his education at Grand River College, having taken a five years' course. At the age of twenty-one he located upon his farm and kept house by himself until April 1, 1875, when he married Miss Huldah Webster, a native of Athens county, Ohio, born January 25, 1851; a daughter of Charles and Hannah Webster, who settled in Grundy county, in 1865. Her father died January 2, 1871, and her mother April 14, 1876. Mrs. Thompson only lived about one year after her marriage, died February 19, 1876. June 22, 1878, Mr. Thompson married Miss Olive F. Webster, a sister to his first wife. She was born March 10, 1847. By this union two .children have been born : Milton, born May 8, 1879, died September 26, 1880 ; and Paschal, born February 24, 1881. Mr. Thompson is possessed of five hundred and three acres of very fine land, all well improved and heavily stocked. He makes a specialty of graded cattle, having at present a herd of one hundred and seveiity head. He is a thorough-going business man, has filled various offices and is a man in whom the community has the most implicit confidence.

Daniel Welch

Was born in Virginia, February 3, 1822. His parents, Christo])her and Elizabeth Welch, moved to Ohio in 1884, and after livin^^ there seven years, moved to Crawford county, Illinois. His mother died in 1840, and liis father in 1854. The subject of our sketch learned the carpenter's trade and worked at that business about "fifteen years, since which time he has been engaged in farming and stock-deali!ig. He married, November 9, 1845, Miss Sarah A. Irwin. She was born in Licking county, Ohio, May 30, 1827; a daughter of Elijah and Mary Irwin. Her father died September 17, 1879, in the seventy-ninth 3'ear of his age; her mother is still living, in the seventy-eighth year of her age. Mr. Welch in 1854 located in Grundy county and has since lived here with the exception of eighteen months spent in Wapello county, Iowa. He had no financial help in starting in life, but has become wealthy and is now one of the leading farmers and stock-dealers in the county. Mr. and Mrs. Welch had two children; namely, William B., born April 24, 1849; and Mandilla, born August 7, 1846. Mandilla was the wife of John Johnson, who died January 4, 1865, and afterwards became the wife of William Houseman; she died February 8, 1879. By her marriage with Mr. Johnson she had one child, William H. Johnson, born August 30, 1855, now making his home with his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs, Welch; he is a young man of fine business qualilications and is already accumulating considerable property. His grandparents on his father's side, Alvin and Jestin Johnson, are still living in the county, and were among the first settlers of Harrison township and are yet among the most honored and esteemed.

Mks. Julia K. Wild

Widow of Emery Wild, deceased, was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, December 17, 1855, a daughter of Philip and Mary Steckman, She came with her parents, when five years of age, to Brown count}-, Illinois, and lived there till 1871, when they located in Grundy county. Her father died November 2, 1880, and her mother is still living in this county. She was married to Emery Wild, July 4, 1876. He was a native of Grundy county, born July 12, 1837, and said to be the first white child born in the county. He was a son of Philip and Sallie Wild. His father died October 4, 1864, and his mother September 22, 1S75. Mr. Wild had previously been married to Miss Susanna Markwood, and by that marriage there were seven children; viz., Robert, born June 15, 1861; Araminta, born April 7, 1863, died March 22, 1868; Sallie, born June 2, 1866; Charles, born June 22, 1868; Hattie, born March 25, 1870; George, born May 14, 1872, died April 10, 1879; Armilda, born March 25, 1874. The first Mrs. Wild died March 31, 1874. By this second marriage one child was born; to-wit, Emily, October 20, 1877. Mr. Wild died November 4, 1877. At the time of bis death lie was master of the grange, had filled many offices in the township, and was an active, public spirited man in all that was for the good of his town and county; he was higlily esteemed in his neighborhood, and was a kind and aftectionate husband and father. He left a fine estate of six hundred and thirty acres. His widoM'^ is an estimable lady, and a member of the Baptist Church.

Henry Willis

This gentleman stands in the front rank of the pioneers of Grundy county. He was born in the North Riding of Yorksliire, England, March 20, 1814. His parents, John and Alice Willis, were well-to-do farmers. They had lived on one farm for over seventy years. His father died at the age of eightytwo, and his mother at the age of seventy-six years. They reared a family of seventeen children to manhood and womanhood. He always took great delight in farming and stock-raising, and preferred that to attending school. At the age of seventeen years he left the home of his birth and childhood, and, inexperienced, poor and alone, landed in Quebec, June 22, 1831; then made his way to Onondaga, New York; here he found himself destitute of money and began work in the hai'^est field at eight dollars per month; after remaining eighteen months he made his way to Franklin county, Ohio; here he was stricken down with fever and laid eleven months and was entirely destitute of means, but being a man of prepossessing ways and good m.orals, he found many kind friends; lived in Ohio two years and then went to Morgan county, Illinois, remained there eighteen months; then came back to Franklin county, Ohio, where, on September 16th, 183Y, he was married to Miss Mary Everett, a native of that county, born December 10, 1815. With his young wife he left Ohio and sought a home in the then far west, and on February 28th, 1838, located in Grundy county, Missouri. They remained in the county of Grundy but a short time, then moved to Mercer. Here he built a small cabin without floor, door or windows, and with scarcely an article of household furniture they commenced their western life, and lived happily there for five years, then moved back and permanently located in Grundy county. He is nOw possessed of seven hundred and forty acres of fine land, highly improved and well stocked. By this marriage they had one child, Sarah Jane, born August 28, 1841, died September 28, 1842. Mrs. Willis died March IT, 1863. " May 19, 1864, he married Miss Keturah Rubert, a native of Madison county, Ohio, born August 31, 1828. Her parents were very early settlers in Ohio. Mother died January 14, 1867, and her father September 26, 1877. The following children were born to them: Alice May, April 3, 1865; John D., June 27, 1867; Hannah E., May 30, 1870; and Mollie Maud, September 2, 1872. Few men have succeeded so well in life as Mr. Willis and it must all be attributed to his indomitable energy and strict integrity.